The Lost Planet

Angus MacVicar

Angus MacVicar (October 28, 1908 - October 31, 2001) wrote the first of his science fiction serials for children, The Lost Planet (not be confused with the 1953 American film serial of the same name), for BBC radio in 1952.  The following year he novelised the serial and wrote a follow-up for the radio, Return To The Lost Planet. In 1954, MacVicar novelised the second serial and adapted the first novel for television. The following year, he also adapted the second novel for television and produced a third serial, Secret Of The Lost Planet, for radio. This serial was novelised in 1955, and a fourth novel, Red Fire On the Lost Planet, was published in 1959 and adapted for radio in 1960. There were no more versions made for television and MacVicar wrote three further novels in the series.

"The Lost Planet" Radio Times feature

"The Space Ship in which 'The Lost Planet' is approached is powered by an atomic motor firing charged droplets of water from a bank of six enormous jets. The crew is led by Doctor Lachlan McKinnon, as Scottish as his name, intrepid, fearless, and a brilliant scientist. His assistant is Professor Lars Bergman, from Sweden, and his chief engineer, Spike Stranahan, from America. Janet Campbell, young, pretty, and studying science at Glasgow University, is his secretary, and his cook is Madge Smith, a Cockney, determined to take her new hat along and look smart when she arrives. Then there is Jeremy Grant, aged sixteen and Dr McKinnon's nephew. He comes from Australia, and the journey across the sea to Scotland seems a pretty big adventure to him until he gets to Inverard House and finds out what is happening there.

"During this serial you will see what happens when a Space Ship runs across the path of a shower of meteorites - the 'vermin of the skies ' - and watch Dr McKinnon and Jeremy fighting to save the ship from destruction when the atomic motor becomes unsafe. You will journey through the silences of the void and roam across the fantastic landscapes of Hesikor, the lost planet." - Kevin Sheldon

First editions

Serials

The Lost Planet (1954)

Australian teenager Jeremy Grant accepts an invitation from is uncle, Dr McKinnon - a brilliant scientist who, with Swedish Professor Lars Bergman, is building a space ship powered by an atomic motor firing charged droplets of water from a bank of six enormous jets. They intend to reach the lost ("wandering") planet of Hesikos where they hope to mine Iridonium, a rare metal that, when mixed with lead, can produce gold. They are aided by American chief engineer, Spike Stranahan, science student Janet Campbell, and cook Madge Smith. Stranahan's assistant, Kurt Oppenheim, is a spy working for European scientist Hermanoff, who is planning a similar mission. Jeremy persuades his uncle to allow him to join the crew in place of Oppenheim.

The space ship begins its journey and cross the path of a meteorite shower known as the 'vermin of the skies' and Dr McKinnon helps Jeremy save the ship from destruction when the atomic motor becomes unsafe. After landing safely on Hesikos, Hermanoff and Andrieff arrive offering to take them back to Earth. McKinnon secretly remains behind, believing that Herminoff's ship will be overloaded, hoping that a relief expedition can be organised while he tries to survive the icy winter of Hesikos. 

Notable cast & crew


Broadcast(s)

Return To The Lost Planet (1955)

Hermanoff and Stranahan return to rescue Dr McKinnon but end up marooned on Hesikos with only enough food to last four months. Assisted by Andrieff, Hermanoff's former engineer, Jeremy and his friends build a new rescue ship.

After take-off there is trouble with the air-pressure system but they eventually reach the lost planet safely. They find Dr McKinnon, Hermanoff, and Spike alive and well and make the discovery that human life exists on Hesikos. Near the foot of a mountain they find the mouth of an underground cavern.

Inside they hear a throbbing sound, and meet Solveg, ruler and chief historian of Hesikos, and his daughter Asa, plus Dorman. They use the Electronome to transfer thoughts and their speech sounds to each explorer like his own native tongue. Thousands of years ago Solveg's people invented the atom bomb, but all explosives were eventually outlawed, and for many centuries the Hesikians have lived in charity and goodwill.

Just before returning to Earth, an underground river is blocked by the fall of a huge boulder; electricity is cut off, and as bitter winter approaches, the Hesikians are faced with a famine of light and heat. Jeremy and Spike use explosives to clear the blockage — and Hesikos is saved. The Hesikans have repaired the ship, and the visitors return to Earth accompanied by Asa, who hopes to spread her philosophy of peace.

Notable cast & crew


Broadcast(s)

BBC Television Service

Michael Segal

Christopher Hodge

Produced by BBC

Derek Benfield

Ronald Marriott

Eugene Leahy

TV serial

First shown in 1954

Van Boolen

First shown in 1955

Wolfe Morris

John Cooper

John Stuart

Julie Webb

Kevin Sheldon